Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, The Vampire Diaries or The Originals.
A/N: Sorry It took so long, but this was a fun chapter to write. When I wrote Violetta's character I was thinking of a personality mix between Sheila Bennett and Caroline Forbes. But when I wrote Miss Zeline after I watched Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them for the hundredth time. I love the character Queenie Goldstein, so, I don't know why but when I was writing the Orleans Wizarding robes store owner, I thought of Queenie.
I Hope you like reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it : )
Comment and tell me your thoughts!
Chapter 10 – A Shopping Trip, A train and a Smart Hat
Hartley POV: The Next Morning in New Orleans
Rolling over slightly, I felt the warmth of morning sunlight on my face, as it streamed through the partially open curtains. Shifting under the covers and moving into a sitting up position, I immediately took notice of Luna curled up beside me. 'She must have snuck in here during the night.'
She began this habit shortly after we lost Pandora. No matter where I was, she'd always come find me. That's why she has her own room at the manor, she practically lives there. I have absolutely no clue how she found it… Since there are so many wards around the property. But there she was one day, standing at the threshold of the entryway with a "Good afternoon Hartley!" and her usual serene smile.
I managed to get up without disturbing her and figured I might as well get dressed for the day, before breakfast.
~~~o0o~~~
Third POV
When Hartley came downstairs she grabbed her breakfast and sat down at the table. The daily newspaper was already on the table, both magical and muggle. Xenophilius was sitting across from her, reading the muggle paper, so Hartley picked up the magical one. When she opened the first page, it described the ongoing local Guerrera werewolf clan wars and how the raids are spilling out into the other communities surrounding New Orleans.
"How come the wizarding community reports the werewolf attacks, but they don't seem to be stepping in to eradicate it or attempting to do something about it?" Hartley asked. Xenophilius peered over his newspaper at her.
He sighed before folding up the paper and taking off his reading glasses. He folded his hands on the tabled and slightly leaned forward before starting his reply,
"If you are familiar with wizards, no matter what country they're from they enjoy a bit of gossip and drama, but, they will refuse to step in and make the goings on in the muggle supernatural community their business too. Especially in America, they have very strong feelings about the statue of secrecy here. Especially since the occurrence of the Salem witch trails, when radical humans slaughtered a many innocent people. Magical folk and muggles alike. No one was safe. From what I hear, even the muggle supernatural community is unware of our world's existence."
"Do they teach wizarding global history and political studies at Hogwarts?" Hartley said, as she laid down the French Quarter wizarding newspaper. The charmed moving photo above the article was of a muggle werewolf attacking someone.
Just then, Luna came hopping down the stairs, wearing a yellow shirt under a blue corduroy overall dress and mismatched colored striped socks on her feet. When she got to the bottom step, "no, they don't. But daddy does a lot of business deals with wizards around the globe and traveled many places." Her voice drifted toward the breakfast nook.
"You must understand Hartley, most of the British wizards, especially the ministry are narrow minded fools, who refuse to listen to reason or change their views even if it would be for the betterment of everyone else. They're too focused on blood class, or blood purity as some will call it. But, it's not that way in other countries. The whole pure blood elitist mindset didn't move across the pond when many wizards and witches migrated over to the Americas in 1620. The world is nowhere near close to perfect, anywhere you go they will have their own strife. In the Americas it's estrangement from muggles, or no-maj as they call them here. However, for some other countries, it's isolation from the global wizarding community itself."
The conversion changed into more lighthearted topics when Xenophilius started remembering his time at Hogwarts and meeting Pandora. And moved on to telling the girls' anecdotes of when they were young and used to visit friends here in New Orleans. Then Luna's eyes brightened remembering something.
"Today daddy is taking us to Rue du District, to get our supplies for school." Luna said before she took a bite of toast.
"It's the wizarding district of New Orleans." Xenophilius says. Hartley just nodded and after they finished breakfast, Hartley ran back upstairs for her bag that had her Gringotts card in it and finished getting ready for the day.
~~0o0o0~~
Xenophilius told the girls' that he could go with them to get their wands first then he'd leave, so they'd have to finish shopping for school supplies on their own. He had more business partners to meet and Quibbler related work to complete. They would meet at a The Dragon Nest for dinner, Luna said it was like wizarding Orleans version of The Leaky Caldron. When Pandora was alive, it was one of her favorite places to visit often when they were on holiday in here.
Hartley POV
The sign that hung outside above the shop's entryway read Beauvais Wands Est.1909
The bell rang throughout the store signaling the front shop door opening. Walking into Beauvais, the first thing I noticed about the wand shop was that it was well organized. Luna walked over to the left side of the shop and moved her hand over boxes of wands categorized orderly on the shelves.
Suddenly a loud sound of a shelf crashing down, came from the storage room in the back of the wand shop, and a momentarily frazzled looking woman unsteadily limped out from the room where said crash was heard. Her arms full of a small pyramid mound of boxes and pieces of loose hair falling in her face. But when she spotted Mr. Lovegood at the counter, she seemed to pause in her original task and straighten up. The stress that was in her eyes softened into something kinder. She put the pile of boxed wands down on the counter before running over to hug him.
Luna and I stayed near the front of the store, observing the scene that was about to play out.
"Xenophilius Lovegood. my oh my, aren't you a sight for sore eyes. Why I haven't seen you in, what has it been? 20 years?" she spoke with an American southern accent and looked to be in her early fifties, though with core witches it was hard to tell for sure. She had frizzy black hair that fell past her shoulders, hazel eyes, and mocha colored skin. The people in wizarding America didn't seem to wear colorful wizard's robes like in Britain. They dressed in a more muggle-like fashion. She walked back over to the stack of boxes sitting on the front counter and began putting them back on the shelves.
"10 years, Violetta." Mr. Lovegood corrected her in a joking, yet familiar matter.
"Hmph. Well it feels like longer… you guys never come visit anymore." she grumbled, as she was finishing stacking away boxings of wands, she had in her hands, she brought from the back room. She seemed to be in deep thought for a moment before glancing back over in our direction.
"I heard about what happen. I'm so sorry. That girl had such a pure soul, she brought such a kindness to the world, that even nowadays is hard to find a light that pure. Another good one, lost." She finished putting the last of the boxes on the shelf before she seemed to realize, that Luna and I were standing there too.
"But enough of hearing this old witch reminisce the glory days. I see you brought two lovely young ladies today, perhaps, get their first wands." Violetta said with a smile, winking toward us.
"Ah yes!" he exclaimed. 'I wonder if he forgot we were here too?' I thought as he led us further into the store and had a hand on each of our shoulders. "This is Luna and Hartley, they just received their Hogwarts letters, and you're the only wandmaker I could think of with beauty and talent to match her craft, that could gift them with their perfect wand." Xenophilius
She looked at him with her hands on her hips, quirking her one eye brow and pursing her lips, which slowly sliding into a smirk and then turned into a chuckle. "You don't have to butter me up, I could feel their magic when you all walked in here, of course I'll craft you girls your wands. I don't think I can find a match for ya'll, anyways. It'll have to be something all your own." She said, pulling out her wand and summoning the measuring tape from the high shelf.
"Now, unlike my fellow wandmakers, I sense your magical core and personality through your aura. Instead of quietly poking around your surface thoughts with Legilimency, to 'better know my customers'. But my belief, is it isn't very helpful anyway, when choosing a perfect match for a witch or wizard." Violetta explained tucking her wand behind her ear and walking over to us with the measuring tape in hand. "Now honey, which hand do you use most?" she asked me.
"I'm ambidextrous," I replied holding out both arms as the measuring tape snaked around her person and down her arms.
"child, that's something we all wish," Violetta laughed
"But I use my right for writing, just because it makes things simpler." I added quickly. She nodded still chuckling. She walked over to Luna and did the same with her. After she retracted the measuring tape, she walked around us, looking us up and down. It felt like a tiger judging her prey. Suddenly she stopped circling us and her face broke out into a look that was a cross between determined and joyful. She then clapped her hands once enthusiastically.
"Come with me little lovelies, we'll head to my workroom in the back and Aunt Violetta will craft your wands herself! That way, I can be sure they're a perfect fit for you." She said gesturing to herself and waving her wand in her other hand, magically cleaning up the last of whatever was still laying around unkept.
~~~o0o0o~~~
Walking into the Violetta's workroom, it was dark, until the sound of a wand being waved in multiple directions was heard and Violetta whispered "Lumos maxima," all the candles in the room suddenly flamed to life, bringing light to the dimmed wand-crafting witch's workroom. When the lights illuminated the room, rows of containers could be seen on once wall, but on another, stacks of wood planks of different colors and sizes were lain out.
Luna skipped into the middle of the room past us. We watched as she went from one corner of the room to another, plucking items up as she went. Then she suddenly stopped and brought her treasures over to Violetta. Violetta stared at Luna in wonder, before breaking out into a warm laugh.
"Oh honey, you remind me so much of your mama." She smiled warmly at Luna lost in memories for a moment, before taking the things Luna picked out and walked over to her workbench. "Pandora used to be the exact same way." She sighed sadly but looked back to us, her eyes were slightly glistening, and she wore a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"The three of us were all friends, even though I went to The Salem Academy for Witches. We all met the summer before our first year of school. Their families were on vacation in America and when we met, we just clicked. We've been friends ever since… enough of this old lady reliving the glory days, let's make you a wand fit for you." She said looking a Luna before she quickly got to work.
I decided to stand back and watch. Violette certainly was a master at her craft, because in the small moment of time that I looked away and then back again. she was already finished. She handed Luna her new wand and when I peered over her shoulder, I could see that Violetta carved little vines of acorns into the wand's base. The wand itself was light tan in color, with the carved, almost burnt in acorn detail at the wand's base.
"Here you go little pandora. This wand is Pliant flexibility, 11 ½ " inch, Hazel & Dogwood magically intertwined with a demiguise hair that has been sprinkled with essence of dittany for the core. The dogwood and demiguise hair core in your wand will be make it very smart and ingenious. Interesting, the hazel wood is typically used in seer's wands, be careful if you travel over underground water springs, your wand will let out tear drop shaped puffs of smoke. And the essence of dittany is best for healing and experimental magic."
Violette then walked over to me, looked me in the eye and slightly tilted her head as she did so, while muttering, "Now you honey, are a different story."
She then put her hand on my shoulder, she gently guided me over to a section of different wood planks. "Let's start with the wood for your wand. If you hold out your hand and walk along these planks. If you feel any warm sensations, then you grab that piece of wood."
I nodded at her instruction and began to walk past the planks, keeping my hand hovering over them as I went by. After I passed three planks, I felt a warm sensation in my palm, so I picked up the piece of wood. But just seconds later I felt an another one calling out, telling me to keep searching, so I collected that one as well and kept walking down the line of wood blocks. At the end of the long row, I had a total of three blocks in my hands, I walked back over to Violette and she was gawking at me surprised.
"Sure, two woods is unique, even rare. But three? Three woods in a wand is unheard of… You must have a lot of power, little red."
"Alright, next do the same thing but over this rack of boxes, here. In here are the different wand cores I've collected through my years and travels." she stepped over to a shelf and rested her hand on one of the boxes. I nodded and walked around her, doing the same routine as before. When I came back over to Violette with the items I selected. She took the cores and wood planks I picked out and walked them over to her wandcrafting table. Before she started to work, she paused in thought and turned back to me. "You are going to be a great power. If you'll let me, I want to make your wand a match to your strength. Will you let me?" she asked gently taking ahold of my hand palm up. I watched her eyes but nodded none the less, curious about what she was thinking. In one swift move, she sliced my palm and held my hand over one of the cores. I didn't even feel her cut, and by the time she was finished, my skin already fused back together, healing itself. When I looked up at her from my now healed hand, she had already finished crafting my wand.
"Here you go little red. Reasonably supple flexibility, 14" inch, Dark Rosewood, Ash and New Orleans Swamp Mayhaw Wood, all magically fused together with Louisiana Rougarou hair, a few drops of your blood & Thunderbird tail feather for the wand's core. Now your wand is confusing, the woods you picked are a contradiction of each other. A Thunderbird feather is rare as a Phoenix feather is, probably even more so. A Very powerful wand indeed. I travelled to Egypt in during the 20s, in my youth and managed to get this rare beauty, before President Seraphina made Thunderbirds a protected beast species. The Thunderbird tail feather is known for great transfiguration magic and element related spells. Within the base is a scalped piece of fire agate, which has many healing properties physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. But I'm sure you can find all that out in a wiccan cookbook." She shrugged during last sentence. The wand itself might have had three woods magically woven throughout the structure. But the outside wood of the wand was dark rosewood and it took on a color of dark brown, almost black with a copper like vines piece that crept up the section between the wand and base, wrapping the carved fire agate gemstone handle in place.
"How much would these types of wand normally cost?"
Violetta thought about it for a moment before replying with, "17 Dragots, each. If I remember the exchange rate that would be about around 10 Galleons per wand, but my math is a little rusty." I just responded by handing her my Gringotts credit card, "can you please charge for Luna's wand also." She just gave me a knowing smirk when I mentioned Luna and peered in her direction. She swiped her wand along the length of the card, before handing it back to me. "I threw in two arm and leg holsters, for you two, free of charge."
Before we even walked back into the main store area, I heard Luna speak up, "Daddy already left, so we'll have to continue shopping for supplies without him."
Before we left, I thanked Violetta for her taking her time to create our wands.
"Goodbye, Miss Beauvais" Luna called back in wand witch's direction, as she followed after me down the district's alleyway of shops.
~~0o0o0~~
"We might well get our robes next." Luna suddenly declared in a happy chirp. She had stuck her wand behind her ear, in a similar way to Violetta. She pointed to the next store front.
The sign above it was blank until a woman who was dressed as though she just stepped out of the 1920s era, with blonde wavy bob cut style hair, walked out the front door of the shop, she held her wand in her left hand and she had a frazzled air about her. She was muttering her annoyances under her breath and I caught the sound of a New York accent. But I only recognized it because we just came from the city last night, before landing outside the Lovegood's Orleans summer Cottage.
"Oh! You darn sign, I swear you just love to give me all sorts of trouble!" she exclaimed in a huff at the blank sign. She waved of her wand, and within seconds, cursive letters began to materialize across the blank board across her building. The once blank sign now read, "Miss Zeline's Robes for Witches & Wizards". With a nod of satisfaction, she marched back inside the robe shop. Luna and I shared a look before following her inside.
She was behind the counter but when she heard the front entrance bell chime her head popped up from looking at her schedule book and saw us entering, she asked. "Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry or Salem Witches' Institute, hon?" I didn't know what Ilvermorny was, but I did know that Salem Institute was an American wizarding girls school, so I deducted that Ilvermorny must've been Hogwarts' North American counterpart. But before I could think of a reply, Luna excitedly spoke up for the both of us. "Hogwarts, actually! We were on holiday when we received our letters." Miss Zeline's eyes seemed to light up in sudden recognition.
"I've got another young lady going to Hogwarts who came here as well. I believe she's being fitted for her school robes now, in fact."
In the back of the store, there was a girl with beautiful eyes and long tresses of wavy blonde hair. The girl was standing on a raised platform, while a second witch, pinned up her long black robes to fit her height. Miss Zeline waved her wand and two more stools appeared near the girl. Miss Zeline instructed Luna and I to stand on the new two platforms she made appear, then she slipped a long robe over my head and her assistant slipped one over Luna and they began to pin it up the correct length.
The blonde girl gave a polite smile and said, "Hello. So, you're going to Hogwarts too?"
She glanced over at Luna giving her a once over, before turning back to face me. I gave her a small smile in return before responding, "Yes, we just received our letters."
"So what house do you think you'll end up in?"
"I don't know."
"well no one really knows until the sorting. But father expects me to end up in Slytherin and I'm sure he'll expect the same from my sister when she attends. Although my sister seems to think I'll be in Ravenclaw, like our mother was. Even though the rest of our family has been sorted into Slytherin for generations." She paused in her ramble for a moment before continuing. "Did you know Merlin was in Slytherin House? They say that he was taught by Salazar Slytherin." She asked excitedly.
"no, I didn't know that about Merlin." I replied with a smirk trying to hide my amusement.
"I'm sorry, I'm rambling. Are you here with your parents?" she asked
"my parents are dead."
"oh, I'm sorry." The girl winced at my blunt tactlessness, the conversation started to die there until she seemed to get gain a new spark of courage, or stupidity. Sometimes it was hard to tell which, was which was, and ask, "were parents our sort?"
Her vagueness and phrasing of her question annoyed me, but I knew what she was really asking. "If you mean were they of magical blood? Then, yes. They were, but they died when I was but a child, and I was raised by magic loathing muggles," I paused for a moment, and looked over to the eccentric nargle hunting blonde that stood on the stool next to me who was also getting fitted for her Hogwarts robes, "until I had the pleasure of meeting my best friend, Luna."
Her body and posture seemed to relax a bit when I mentioned my linage was of magical blood. "I'm Daphne by the way, Daphne Greengrass. Its nice to meet you."
"your all done, honey." The shop assistant told Daphne as she helped her down.
"It was nice meeting you both, maybe we'll meet again on the train." Daphne said as she was getting her shopping bag.
"we'll save you a seat." Luna suddenly broke her silence. Daphne smiled over at Luna and nodded in reply before leaving the store.
"Well, she was nice." She spoke in her usual airy toned voice.
~~o0o0o~~
Luna had left the robe shop before Hartley and told her to meet her at Odette's Owl Emporium, which was just three shops down the row of wizarding shops. Walking into Odette's Owl Emporium was certainly interesting. Not only were there owls but other varies creatures. But the thing that made Hartley pause in her thoughts and observations was when she spotted Luna at the register with two owls and a rodent of some sort. Hartley walked over to Luna wondering what her friend was up to?
"I found you the perfect owl." Luna spoke up while she handed the clerk some dragots.
"I didn't say anything."
"Oh, I thought you asked what your friend was up to."
"I thought it… but I didn't voice it aloud, don't tell me you can read minds now."
Luna thought about it for a moment before replying, "I don't think so, but I don't know for sure."
"maybe your gifts are beginning manifest like your mother said they would by the time we started Hogwarts."
"Maybe." She smiled lifting the two owl cages off the counter and the large black rodent crawled onto her head.
"who did you find?" Hartley inquired gesturing to the two owls and creature perched on Luna's head.
"oh yes! This is my new owl," she held up the cage with the white and tan pygmy owl in it. Then she handed the other cage to Hartley, "and this is your new owl, well technically he's a fwooper. I thought Apus would be a lovely name." when she said that he puffed owl his chest in proud recognition that he was being complimented.
"bird of paradise? I guess I can see that, Apus it is then." Hartley said holding up the cage to examine her new feathery friend. She knew of course that he had a silence charm on him and anyone who had a fwooper had possess the ability to cast a silencing charm on them monthly or their singing would drive people to the brink of insanity, literally. He had grey feathers and vibrant colorful tailfeathers, although his eyes were yellow, round and wide, he didn't have that usual look of suspicion in his eyes that most birds of prey had. He looked like he was constantly surprised. He was certainly studying his new owner, he kept turning and tilting his head.
"And this is Leonard, he's a peculiar niffler, at least that's what the shop assistant told me."
"that his name is Leonard?" Hartley asked sarcastically, staring at the little niffler who slowly blinked at her.
"no that's silly." She then points to the niffler on her head, "he told me his name was Leonard, the shop assistant said he was a peculiar niffler and that he wasn't like the rest."
Hartley just nodded in understanding, for as much as the rest of the world couldn't understand Luna, Hartley could understand her pretty well. She was sure they'd find out later just how odd he was.
~~0o0o0~~
Luna was about to walk past the next shop, headed in the direction of the apothecary, until I spotted the sign for Naomi's Bookstore, then I grabbed ahold of her wrist and dragged her inside the wizarding book shop with me. We were in the shop for an hour and I managed to gather a large selection of books, aside from the texts required for Hogwarts. Like; The Owl Airforce: True Life Tales of War in Europe by Simon Dentata, Chadwick's Charms by Chadwick Boot, A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration, History of Magic in North America, History of Magic in Europe, History of Magic in Asia, Magical Theory, Quidditch Through the Ages and The History and Art of Runic Magicks.
~~o0o0o~~
"Ok so do we have everything on the list?" I asked.
Luna retrieved the folded-up Hogwarts supply list from her pocket and said, "All it says is that we're not allowed brooms during our first year, I'm not much for flying. How about you?"
"I'm not sure yet. I never flew before." I replied, keeping pace with her.
"Since we have some time before dinner, let's go for a walk." Luna exclaimed as she folded the paper before stuffing it back in her pocket.
Third POV
The girls decided to explore the French Quarter before meeting Mr. Lovegood at The Dragon Nest for dinner.
"Let's cut through here." Luna spoke up. She skipped down the alleyway between buildings. She pulled Hartley by the wrist along with her. Halfway down the alleyway, two men dropped down from the nearby building rooftops. One landed in front of the girls stopping them from continuing on to their destination, the other behind them blocking their exit or escape.
"Why are you two wondering around here alone at night?" the first one asked.
"Are you lost?" the second one behind them spoke.
Hartley being the slightly paranoid young girl she was, she knew that these two did not stop them on their walk just for some idle chat. Hartley noticed the way they were eyeing her friend, so she protectively moved Luna slightly behind her, blocking her from their sight. she was about to let her new wand drop from her arm holster, but then stopped when she remembered that the muggle supernatural world didn't know about them, and that they weren't in their country anyway, and she didn't know what MACUSA laws were, but she knew they had differing rules from the Ministry. They were only tourists here.
"We don't want any trouble, someone is expecting us for dinner. We're on our way there now." Hartley put a hand behind her back and grabbed ahold of Luna's hand, she was getting ready to run. But one of the men must have noticed.
Because seconds later veins start to creep up both men's faces and their fangs extent. That's when Hartley realized her mistake, she should have known vampires would be out roaming the French quarter once night fell. Luna suddenly was ripped out of Hartley's grip and held from her, as the first vampire that dropped down blocking their path in the beginning roughly threw Hartley against the wall disorienting her before pinning her there. He didn't waste time; a second later Hartley felt his fangs tear into her neck.
"No! Hartley!" Luna screamed, as she struggled against the second vampire, who easily held her back from reaching her friend.
Suddenly the first nightwalker was thrown off Hartley by a blurred force and pinned against the opposite wall.
"what is my rule?" Marcel growled as he pinned the vampire by the throat, "we don't hurt kids!" he shouted before shoved him toward his buddy. The other vampire that was holding Luna dropped her and turned to run, only to be stopped by some daywalkers who were in Marcel's inner circle.
Luna noticed that Hartley had already begun to heal, so she quickly shed her thin scarf and wrapped it around her, so that way even if it soaked in some of her blood the vampires wouldn't question it right away. Hartley who had started to gain back some of her awareness, took Luna's hand and started to edge toward the other end of the alley away from the mob of vampires that was gathering at the opposite end.
"These two decided to break one of my most sacred rules. You know what happens in my city if you break the rules!" Marcel spoke loudly to the small crowd of French Quarter vampires. "How do you plead?"
The vampire who bit Hartley, was standing by his friend, and spouting off excuses to Marcel, when he suddenly fell to the ground. His neck snapped. The second one had the same done to him seconds later and was tossed near his friend's unconscious form. The two laid in the middle of a circle of vampires who had gathered to watch the small spectacle. And they knew how Marcel liked to make a show of things.
"You both are sentenced to 100 years in the garden. Thierry, please take these two back to the abattoir!" some vampires were still standing around waiting until Marcel yelled at the spectators "Shows over folks!"
"Marcel, what about the kids?" one of the vampires who broke off from the disappearing crowd asked. "I'll handle it, don't worry. Just help Thierry in the garden." Marcel reassured him before he nodded and followed Thierry.
Just as Hartley and Luna turned back to their path to freedom, they found it blocked by the crescent city king himself.
"where were you kids going before this all happened?" Marcel asked the girls, while looking directly into their eyes, his pupils dilating as he asked.
"Going to meet daddy for dinner." Luna replied, she blinked owlishly at him. Hartley watched with a mix of utter curiosity and a pinch of horror as he compelled Luna. She wasn't sure if her mind was being manipulated or she was just being polite and answering his question. She didn't have a long to ponder this notion before he turned to her and started to compel her. But she knew in order for them to make it back home. She had to play along.
"You will forget everything you just witnessed. You were headed to meet him but you got lost on the way. That's why you were late." Marcel spoke, his voice level and not once faltering. When both girls blinked, he blurred away.
"Come on we're going to be late if we keep stopping." Luna said as she tugged Hartley toward back in the direction of their destination.
Kings Cross Station
Luna and Hartley had their trunks shrunken and in Hartley's undetectable expansion bag.
They were sitting just outside of the barrier, hidden under a disillusion charm, watching the witches and wizards who passed in and out of the Platform 9 ¾ barrier. Kings Cross station was bustling with people, magical and muggle alike. but the sight that drew the girls attention was the loud family of red heads making their way through the station. They were basically broadcasting to the muggles in the station, that they were wizards. The matriarch of the group who Luna said was the mother of the children, kept turning her head all around, as though she was looking for someone, who wasn't with her and the large group that was already traveling with her. She seemed to be looking for someone special among the crowd of people.
We waited a few minutes after that curious family passed through the charmed wall platform entrance, and a few other families walked through who were sending their children off to start their new term. Luna and Hartley stepped out from our hidden vantagepoint and made our way through the gateway.
Platform 9 ¾ was nothing short of bustling field of chaos. All around there were teary eyed parents hugging their children goodbye. A large red train sat on the tracks, billowing clouds of white smoke rising from the smokestacks. On the side of the great scarlet locomotive, read the words "Hogwarts Express" engraved in gold lettering.
Now Boarding the Hogwarts Express
Children started filling the train and before we knew it, we were rolling out of the Kings Cross Station.
Since returning from Rue du District, New Orleans's magical marketplace, Hartley had finished mastering the art of Occlumency and was even able to teach Luna, although Luna seemed to have a natural gift of being a legilimens, which helped her master occlumency faster than most. Certainly, enough to protect her mind from meddling old fools who should suddenly decide to poke around for beneficial information, in an attempt to use it in his own advantage against anyone in particular. But Luna was pretty sure Hartley was being overly paranoid.
Since the trace on her magic was gone entirely, thanks to the goblins. She was able to practice spells and had already read most of the books that are required first through fourth year. Then for fun she dabbled in the muggle art and spells that were in some of the books she bought in New Orleans from Naomi's Bookstore. Too bad for Luna. She could only do the wand movements, since she still had the trace on her magic. At least until, Hartley could figure out a way to remove it.
It didn't take Luna and Hartley long before they found an empty compartment to settle into. Hartley hadn't been able to spot Daphne, but Luna said not to worry and that she'd find them before the sorting. The girls let Trouble and Apus fly ahead of them to the school, so they didn't have a travel in their cages the whole ride there. Hartley looked over to Luna who was sitting on same side of the compartment beside her, she was reading The Quibbler. Hartley decided she might as well read until they arrived as well. She pulled out one of her mother's journals that she brought with her from the hidden study, within the manor's library. She began to read the first passage she opened to.
February 1st 1968. Dear diary,
Sorry I didn't write yesterday. I just turned eight. That man came to visit the house again yesterday to give me another invitation to the school when I'm of age. But father denied him again. father keeps insisting that I will not attend Hogwarts when I turn eleven. But Beauxbatons instead, but I feel like that man… he won't take no for an answer. I miss mummy…
Hartley stopped reading, when they were alerted to the sudden rattling sound of their compartment door. But it sudden silenced before sliding open. 'pretty sure I locked that beforehand.' Hartley thought to herself. A boy with red hair and secondhand robes, rudely entered the compartment and sat down across from them.
"Sorry everywhere else is full." He spoke up after he so rudely entered without an invitation.
Hartley detected the lie right away. she could tell he wasn't being truthful by his expression and the way he was carrying himself. But she just nodded, before returning to her book. Something about him seemed off to her…
"I'm Ron by the way, Ron Weasley." He continued.
"Why are you here Ron?" Luna asked, making her presence known and making Ron jump. She gazed at him over her magazine with her faraway look, but in a more unnerving way than normal, making him fidget in his seat.
"I told you, everywhere else is full." He responded.
'He's definitely lying. I'm pretty sure that if we were to go out there, we'd find another few empty compartments on this bloody train.' Hartley thought to herself while sending menacing glares in his direction. Luna gave Hartley a side glance before returning her gaze back to him. Hartley knew she was thinking the same thing as her.
Ron began to look unconfutable at the looks he was receipt of, from not only Luna but Hartley as well. While Luna's was more, unblinkingly gazing into his soul kind of a look. Hartley's was much scarier, Hartley's emotions were more teetering on the edge irritated and fast approaching the dark forest of retribution, that the boy did not want to find himself lost in.
"Hartley Potter is on this train you know." Ron blurted out. Stuttering a little in the process, momentarily breaking the silence, he was apparently drowning in. Hartley quirked an eye brow at him 'where is he going with this' she thought.
"And why should this interest me?" Hartley asked with heavy sarcasm. she picked her book back up and began to read where she last left off.
Ron was about to open his mouth again to reply with a snide comment, but the door was thrown open again. reveling a girl with a wildly thick mane of brown hair and already wearing her school robes, standing in the doorway. "Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost his."
Ron's face took on a look of disgust
"Does the toad have a name?" Hartley asked turning to the girl outside the door. Suddenly a boy with a rounded face came running up to the girl panting. "I can't find him anywhere." He said between breaths. Hartley turned slightly to address him.
"What is your toad's name?" Hartley asked gently, but the look she held him with was determined yet sort of intimidating to most.
"T-Trevor." He nervously stuttered out.
Hartley let her wand drop from her arm holster and into her hand, while pointing her wand out she said, "Accio Trevor the toad." Only having to wait a few seconds then suddenly the sound of a object zooming through the air could be heard, until he flew right into Hartley's open and waiting hand. When Hartley looked up from the toad in her hand, she was met with a slacked jaw Neville and Hermione.
"Trevor!" Neville happily exclaimed at the same time Hermione exclaimed, "t-that's a fourth-year spell!"
"Yes." Hartley said. Lowering her wand arm.
"What!?" Neville spoke up at the same time, just now realizing what occurred moments ago.
Hartley shrugged, "I enjoy reading." Hartley invited them into the compartment instead of just standing in the hall. Hermione and Neville moved to sit down on side of the compartment that Ron was occupying, ignoring, or not hearing his sound of protest.
"But you're a first year…" Hermione seemed to have trouble grasping the knowledge that a first year could have that much power without even attending Hogwarts yet.
"I believe so." Hartley could see the wary look in the girl's eyes, but that spark of curiosity out shined that little cloud.
"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said and then gestured to Neville sitting next to her, "and this is Neville Longbottom." Neville gave a small smile, still looking a little nervous but not as much as before.
"Hello Hermione. Hello Neville. I'm Hartley Potter and this is Luna Lovegood." Hartley said while pointing toward the girl who had her nose in the quibbler.
"Hartley? As in Hartley Potter?!" Ron loudly blurted, suddenly realizing he's been in the compartment he's been searching for all along. But still not noticing or caring that he's been an utter prat since barging in there.
"You're the Girl Who Lived. I read all about you." Hermione said her eyes lighting up in recognition. But Hartley's mood turned sour remembering the other battles she'll need to conquer later. She was about to reply in frustration and anger to the ignorant bookworm, but suddenly felt Luna's hand reach over and grip hers. Looking down she saw the blood in her hand. She was too caught up in her angry thoughts that she didn't seem to notice her nails had been digging into her own palms causing her hand to bleed. Luna secretly covered it with hers as her werewolf side took over healing the cuts.
Hartley was about to respond to Hermione's comment, but she was interrupted.
Suddenly the door was thrown open once more and a platinum blond-haired boy stood in the doorway, his two hulking minions, who stood on either side of him. "I heard Hartley Potter was in here. Is it true, which one of you is it then?" Hartley felt like this would drift into territory she didn't want unwanted ears hearing, so she wandlessly cast a privacy spell, making an invisible bubble over everyone but Ronald.
"Well you found her. Who wants to know?"
"I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. And these two are Crabbe and Goyle." He responded. "You should know that in the wizarding world there are families who are better than others. You wouldn't want to go making friends with the wrong sort." At this he sneered looking at Hermione and Neville. But when he glanced toward Luna, Hartley shot him cool a look that made him freeze, silently telling him that he should carefully reconsider his next words.
"I can help you." He continued before extending his hand to her.
Hartley saw the dejected faces of Hermione and Neville, before looking back to Draco. This was her moment of making a life altering decision. She would not be controlled by anyone let alone a boy who appeared to be a ponce at that.
"I will accept your offer of friendship if you apologies to my friends here. They have done nothing to you that warrants your scorn."
Draco just looked furious at being reprimanded like that, and before he could retort.
"I must admit, a friendship with you does sound appealing. Think about it, the Girl Who Lived, befriending someone who appears to wield a lot of political power. Imagine what your parents would say."
Draco's anger subsided as he thought about what she said. He knew his father would be pleased at the thought of him befriending the savior…
"Ok." He said before turning to look at the other passengers in the compartment. "I apologies for my behavior heir Longbottom, Miss Lovegood and Miss…"
"Granger, Hermione Granger." Hermione responded shocked and confused at the turn of events.
"Miss Granger. Do forgive me for my inappropriate behavior." He spoke.
"Apology accepted Malfoy." Neville responded, whilst Hermione gave a slight nod. Luna just made a sound of agreement from behind her reading material.
Draco was about to apologize to Ron, but Hartley waved him off "Oh, not him! He just wandered in here on his own." She said flashing Malfoy a white smile.
It was quiet for a few moments until Hartley clapped her hands together, making everyone jump. "Fantastic! I think this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship!" she said smiling looking at Luna before turning her attention back to the three sitting in front of her. Ron still sat where he sat when he came in the compartment, expect his mouth was moving minus the sound. So the privacy spell worked both ways. They couldn't hear him, thank merlin, and he couldn't hear them. She continued the conversation "And to what you said before Hemione, I find it humorous in a way, that the wizarding world seems to have my life already mapped out for me. Or how they decided to write those lovely fairytales of my childhood. Which is total fiction by the way, sorry to burst anyone's bubble. I mean, a Gryffindor princess, the wizarding world heroine who would loyally stand by Dumbledore? The Girl Who Lived would carry out his plans, to inspire the masses to the light? Believe me when I say this, I am not some game piece to be played. I live for myself and no one else."
The three sat on the opposite side of the compartment wide eyed, trying to comprehend what she was saying. Hermione opened her mouth to ask a question but was silenced by Hartley holding a finger to her lips for a moment of silence before continuing.
"But if you want the true story… well, here it is. Once upon a time there was a princess who survived the impossible. A curse that no one before her could escape it, be she had. Whether it be a fantastic power all her own or just a miracle that she prevailed. Tragically though both parents' where loss to this horrific event, the young girl who was now orphaned was locked away in a forgotten place and kept in a cupboard under the stairs by her wicked non-magical relatives. Who despised her for the magic she could do. If they caught her doing this magic even if it was accidental, they'd beat her until she blacked out. The little girl didn't learn she was special until she was older. Then she learned that she came from a wonderful magical world where there were others just like her. The end." As Hartley spoke her eyes stared straight ahead but not really seeing those who sat in front of her. Listening to her story Luna knew that she was lost in old memories from before her mum found her. Hermione sat in a daze realizing that everything she thought she knew about the girl who lived was all a lie. Numerous emotions were flashing across Neville's and Draco's faces, from sadness to anger then changing to pity and many more after that, Hartley couldn't keep up.
She snapped her fingers taking down the privacy spell and popping the bubble that kept Ron from eavesdropping on their conversation. If she was right in her theory that he was a ignorant lackey for the old wizard. Then she didn't want to arm him with more information to take back to his leader of the light.
"What's that slimy Slytherin doing here!?" Ron all but shouted as soon as the bubble dropped.
"That's very rude! Who are you to judge someone. Plus, we're not even sorted yet you don't know where any of us will end up." Hermione reprimanded.
"I'm going to be in Gryffindor because that's the best house!" Ron confidently said.
"Everyone knows Gryffindor's the best, Ravenclaw is just a bunch of know-it-all's, Hufflepuff is for the wimps who don't fit any other house, the leftovers. And Slytherins full of future deatheaters and dark wizards." Ron spoke confident that he was convincing Hartley that she should want to be in Gryffindor house.
"I think it's stupid, the whole situation. Hundreds of years of house rivalries, squabbles, and separation. Who says you can't be brave and still be a Hufflepuff or be studious and possess the wit of a Ravenclaw but still be in Gryffindor? You can carry all the traits and characteristics of the other houses, not matter where you get sorted. The quarrel between Godric and Salazar was almost a thousand years ago, why do those that reside under the house name have to carry that burden of a fight that probably no one really knows the full story of in the first place. Slytherins aren't evil, people evil."
"You're supposed to hate Slytherins!" Ron blurted angry
"Says who?" Hartley asked looking at him with suspicion. She knew who. She had suspected that the bothersome meddling old fool would find his way into the minds of young minds. A new generation of wizards to corrupt.
"I personally could care less were I'm sorted." Hartley said raising an eyebrow at Ronald.
Ron suddenly paled realizing his slip up. he tried steering the conversation away from his mistake.
"But Gryffindor is the best house, your parents were Gryffindors! They'd want you to be in their house! They'd hate to know that their daughter ended up in another house, especially the house of serpents. Slytherin is just full of a bunch of slimy snakes and future dark wizards!" Ron exclaimed angry at her logic and reasoning.
"Do not speak of my parents. I think you should leave before you say something that you'll regret." Hartley spoke in a deadly calm tone, trying to push her anger back down.
"I don't got to go anywhere!" Ron angerly screeched.
Hartley had her wand trained on him the whole time, not trusting his dodgy behavior from the start, when he first barged into their compartment, she suspected he had ill intentions. She held her wand up from its vantage point that wouldn't be noticed by most, unless they were looking for it.
Suddenly she stood up from her seat and lifted her right hand while she was gripping her wand. She pointed it directly at the troublesome red-haired boy and before he could retrieve his own wand or react she said, "Locomotor" and flicked him out the compartment door, slamming it shut and casting an anti-Alohomora charm on the door after it shut behind him.
"He's been grating on my last nerve." Hartley said letting out an exhausted sigh before sitting back down.
Everyone who was in the compartment was silent, and surprised, even Draco. They couldn't believe that an eleven-year old could not only cast spells that advanced but that many in a row without falter. Without even attending a single Hogwarts class yet.
"That Ron fellow was quite interesting. His head was full of wrackspurts you know." Luna explains from behind her latest copy of The Quibbler. She was now also wearing her pair of spectrespecs. She was testing out their usefulness for her father, because he wanted to include them in a future issue of The Quibbler.
Everyone besides Hartley, jumped in surprise seemingly forgetting that Luna was there. Hartley's lips quirked up into a smirk, though to everyone else it just looked as if the two had their own private joke. Draco bit back a comment about the girl being an absolute lunatic, Hermione made a face at Luna's comment about the wrackspurts because she had never heard of such a creature in her abundant knowledge from studying up on the wizarding world and was about to correct the odd girl, but Neville, who was watching Hartley's expression, nudged Hermione and gave a small shake of his head, and whispered "It's probably best to just let her be." Hermione was about to object but was interrupted by said oddball blonde girl.
"We'll be arriving soon, we should get ready." Luna said putting away her quibbler, smiling in Hermione's direction.
~~o0o0o~~
Before the train stopped, everyone went back to their compartments, agreeing to see each other when they got to Hogwarts. Getting off the train they were greeted by the sight of a Hagrid, Luna said he was half giant. He was standing near the docked boats with a lantern yelling "Firs' years! Firs' years!" although what Hartley observed was that he seemed to be looking for someone specific too, just like the woman at Kings Cross. But his face fell when we didn't seem to spot who he was searching for in the sea of eleven-year old's.
The two girls ran into Daphne. "I couldn't find you on the train, but I figured we could share a boat to the castle."
"ok." Hartley smiled. Luna, Daphne, and Hartley were getting into a boat when Ron walked over to them and got into their boat before it left.
"Why didn't you say you were Hartley Potter when I found your compartment?" Ron asked still annoyed. Luna just stared at him and Hartley scowled at him. Daphne watched the exchange with some interest, but she already didn't like the rude little weasel.
"I don't see how it's any of your business or why I need to broadcast my name to the world."
"But you're the girl who lived!" Ron exclaimed, Hartley ducked her head hoping that any boats nearby didn't hear him. she didn't want the unwanted fame just yet. She wasn't hiding, but she wasn't advertising it either. Just five minutes of peace before entering the school run by Dumbledore himself. Just five minutes of peace before seven years of conflict. Just five minutes…
Daphne seemed to be watching Hartley's expression, before pursing her own lips in thought. Just when the boat was nearing shore, Daphne shoved Ron out of the boat and into the lake. While the other boats who were near laughed at Ronald sputtering in the water, yelling out insults to whoever would listen. Luna quietly took her wand from behind her ear and did a spell to make their little boat move away from him faster, so they approached the shoreline quicker than most.
~~o0o0o~~
A few minutes later they found themselves standing among the sea of first years.
"I heard it hurts!"
"I bet they give you a test!"
"My brothers told me you fight a troll." Ron could be heard worriedly telling the other first years who were standing around him. Luna smiled at the overheard conversation and when she noticed Hartley biting back a laugh at Ronald's sheer gullibility. Hartley tuned out the incessant chatter as she stood with confidence
The rest of the conversation was cut off when the door was opened, by a stern looking professor who Hermione informed her was Minerva McGonagall. Who led them inside, she gave them her the speech she gave to all the new first years. She soon walked through the doors to prepare for the sorting ceremony, leaving the first years to whisper to each other and worry about the sorting.
The best way to describe walking into the grant hall for the first time would be magical. At least the ceiling certainly was. Besides that, it was just a large banquet hall in a very old magical sentient castle. Hartley followed the other first years in behind Professor McGonagall into the center of the great hall stopping short of the front of the hall where a hat on a stool sat. then it started to sing:
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So, try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
Professor McGonagall started reading off a list of names that was in alphabetical order, by last name. Hartley watched as a few of her new friends that she met on the train, got sorted ahead of her. One of the first names that Hartley recognized that was called off McGonagall's list, was Susan Bones, Madame Bones' niece. Susan got sorted into Hufflepuff, the same house her aunt was in. After that Hartley sort of tuned out while McGonagall read some other names, until the professor neared the section of names her friends would be in.
"Hermione Granger" was called, and she walked calmly up to the stool. When McGonagall placed the sorting hat on her head. Hermione's face scrunched up, for a moment, before she let out an exasperated sigh and the hat called out, GRYFANDOOR!
"Daphne Greengrass" McGonagall read. As soon as the sorting hat was placed on her head, right away it yelled out, SLYTHERIN!
"Neville Longbottom" Neville tripped on his way up the steps, before sitting on the stool and the professor place the sorting hat on his head. Hartley heard Ron Weasley whisper loudly "bloody hell, who let the squib in Hogwarts?" and two other boys who were standing next to him snickered at the comment. The hat took the longest so far with Neville. After waiting for five minutes, it finally yelled out, HUFFLEPUFF!
"Luna Lovegood" Luna skipped up the steps toward the stool. Her sorting lasted two minutes before the hat called out, RAVENCLAW!
"Draco Malfoy" all McGonagall had to do was touch the sorting hat on the top of his head for a few seconds, before it cried out SLYTHERIN!
The headmaster was observing the sorting ceremony with what looked like considerable interest. He kept looking in Hartley's direction and leaning forward little by little with anticipation. Soon the professor called out her name.
"Hartley Potter" McGonagall's voice echoed throughout the Great Hall. A momentarily hush spread through the room, before students broke the silence with whispers that raced up and down the length of the hall. When McGonagall placed the hat on her head, the hat didn't hesitate.
'ah, so, we finally meet Miss Potter, or should I say, Miss Mikealson?'
'can they hear you?' Hartley thought in reply to the voice in her head.
'no. I am but a hat that was enchanted by the four founders, to hold their knowledge and to pick out students that possess the characteristics that best fit their house.'
'In the form of a hat, that talks in your head, that only the wearer can hear? Yes, that sounds completely rational. Although when is magic ever abided by the laws of rationality?'
'Yes, yes, I know, magic is amazing. You're so much like your mother when she first came here. So curious, wit beyond measure. But what is this? I can see traits of your father as well… cunning, resourceful, lots of ambition. A true Slytherin. But like your mother, knowledge is power.'
'You make it sound as though my mother was in Ravenclaw? But how can that be when she was in Gryffindor? And how would you know that about my father, when even I haven't met him.'
'ah, but the founders did. Long ago, the four founders have at different points met all the members of the original family. And your mother was meant for Ravenclaw, but someone meddled with her sorting that year, my memory is still spotty...'
'Dumbledore…'
'ah yes, he has gotten… stranger through the years. But recently… I would be on the lookout Miss Mikealson.'
'Thank you, but can you please just call me Hartley or Miss Potter. I don't think I want to give away all my secrets just yet.'
'I always keep the secrets I learn from the minds of Hogwarts' children. We best get this sorting on the way' Hartley looked up at the silent grant hall when he made that comment and saw that everyone seemed to be staring at her in pure silent shock. But why?
Aloud the hat spoke up. "Ah yes plenty of wit, and a thirst for knowledge, but I also see ambition, and much loyalty. Any of the four houses would be a fit for you Miss Potter. But only one will really do, and that house shall be… RAVENCLAW!"
The entire hall was silent, until they seemed to realize what the sorting hat said. Then the Ravenclaw table jumped up in cries of joyful cheers. The other tables were politely clapping but still saddened by the lost chance of gaining Hartley Potter into their House. All the teachers were courteously clapping in congratulations to Flintwick for being able to welcome Miss Potter into the house of Claws, even though everyone was so sure she'd end up in the house of the Lions, like her parents. McGonagall almost seemed somber at the lost, her house table of lions weren't fairing much better off than their head of house either.
But no one seemed to notice how eerily quiet Dumbledore had gotten, no one, but Snape, and if he were to lean closer to the quiet old headmaster he would see him furiously gripping the edge of the table, in anger, turning his knuckles white in the process. With a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes and the fury burning in his blue orbs. Dumbledore was not a happy man.
Hartley handed the gobsmacked McGonagall the sorting hat back and got off the stool, making her way to sit with the other Ravenclaws at their house table. After the rest of the first years got sorted. Dumbledore cleared his throat and delivered his speech and warnings for this year.
"… And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." Hartley could feel his stare, but she didn't dare look at him knowing that he'd waste no time trying to look through her mind. Glancing over at the Gryffindor table she could see the excitement in Ron's eyes from Dumbledore's warning. Of course, that idiot would. Why would that old fool advertise it to a hall full of suggestible students?
"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" he said. "Thank you!"
Hartley observed Dumbledore as he concludes his start of term speech.
"He's as mad as the march hare." Hartley muttered.
"Well then you must be the mad hatter." Hartley was alerted by Luna's light voice as she skipped toward the table, returning from her task.
"Why hello there, Alice. Or should I say welcome back, Alice?" Hartley said with the corner of her lips curved up in a partially amused smile. Luna sat down across from Hartley, her eyes full of amusement. "How did it go?" Hartley asked. Directing the question to Luna.
"I found it, if that's what you're wondering." She said smirking a little.
A/N: Phew! This was a long chapter. I this is probably the last time I will write one of this length, they'll be shorter then this from now on.